Capsule dispenser



s 5 m.\n 1 TR N 4 N R 2 a wm m o. e w a m M u f e T mm P 5 MW m H) R m 0f AS Mm Mm .U Hm A C March 3, 1953 Filed Aug 27 1946 March 3, 1953 H, N,MAIER 2,630,245

CAPSULE DISPENSER Filed Aug. 27, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HERBERTN. MAJ/ER A T TORNEVS.

March 3, 1953 H. N. MAlER 2,630,245

CAPSULE DISPENSER Filegi Aug. 27, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.HERBERT N. 114,405?

ATTORNEYS.

Patenied Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAPSULE DISPENSERHerbert N. Maier, Pottstow'n, Pa., assignor to Dochler-JarvisCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationAugust 27, 1946, Serial No. 693,244

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a capsule dispenser.

While disc and tablet dispensers which dispense one or more discs ortablets for a given actuation of the dispenser are well-known, theconstruction of capsule dispensers which will perform a similar functionhas been complicated by the peculiar shape which capsules possess andparticularly by the fact that capsules are considerably longer than theyare wide. The increased use of capsules as a medicament containing meanshas made all the more important the construction of a dispenser for theselective distribution of capsules.

A further complicating factor in the design of a suitable capsuledispenser is the nature of the capsule itself, which must be of amaterial which is quickly and easily dissolved by the body fluids inorder that the capsule contents may be exposed to the digestive process.Necessarily then, the capsule is a fragile and easily deformablecontainer. As a result, a capsule dispenser must be constructed in sucha manner as not to place undue strain upon the capsules dispensedthereby, lest the capsule be broken open, thus exposing its contents, ordeformed, thus jamming the dispenser and interrupting the egress ofcapsules therefrom.

It is the prime object of the present invention, therefore, to provide acapsule dispenser of simple construction, adapted to mass productionmethods, from which capsules may be selectively dispensed in aconvenient manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such adispenser in which no undue strain or pressure is placed upon thecapsule in the course of its passage through the dispenser.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide adispenser in which dispensing and feeding occur simultaneously, eachbeing dependent upon and controlled by the other.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide adispenser of the type described which can contain a considerable head orsupply of capsules or a very small supply thereof without affecting thesmooth feeding and dispensing which is its characteristic.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser inwhich feeding and dispensing of the capsules takes place without theemployment of any force-feeding apparatus which might tend to deform ordestroy the capsu-les.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a capsuledispenser adaptable for dispensing capsules of different sizes by thereplacement of a single part thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the rotation ofthe movable part of a capsule dispenser by utilizing the capsules themselves as roller bearings.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a capsuledispenser adapted to removably receive a capsule container and todispense the contents thereof.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects asmay hereinafter appear, my present invention relates to the capsuledispenser as sought to be defined in the appended claims and asdescribed in the following specification, taken together with theaccomanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a capsule container and. capsule dispenserappropriately mounted in dispensing position, but with the dispenser notfully inserted into its mount;

Fig. 2 is a top View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top view, on an enlarged scale, of the capsule dispenser ofFig. 1, taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1, with the capsu e containerremoved;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule container and capsuledispenser of Fig. 1 taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule dispenser of Fig. 1taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the capsule dispenser taken along the line 66of Fig. 5, with the rotor handl shown in solid and dotted lines in itstwo extreme positions of travel;

Fig. '7 is a top view of the upper rotor section of the capsuledispenser of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a bottom view thereof;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the lower rotor section of the dispenser of myinvention;

Fig. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of said lower rotor sectoin takenalong the line lI-Il of Fig. 10; and t Fig. 12 is a bottom view of saidlower rotor seclOl'l.

Generically described, the capsule dispenser of my invention comprises acapsule receptacle, generally designated as A, carrying at its bottom aclosure, generally designated as B, and carrying spaced above saidclosure B, at a distance therefrom related to the length of a capsule, apartition, generally designated as C, said closure B having a dispensingorifice D and said partition C having an orifice E, said orifices beingof capsole-passing dimensions and being out of registry on with theother. Journalled inside of said receptacle A is a rotor, generallydesignated as F, provided with at least one capsule-passing channel Gpositioned above the partition C and with at least one capsule-receivingchamber H positioned between the partition C and the closure B, saidchannel G and chamber H being in registry one with the other and bothbeing of capsulepassing dimensions, The rotor F is movable between aposition where the capsule-passing channel G and the capsule-receivingchamber H align with the orifice E in the partition C, so that a capsulemay pass from the channel G to the chamber H, and a position where thechamber H aligns with the dispensing orifice D in the closure B, wherebya capsule may be dispensed.

Turning now to the drawings more in detail and first to Fig. 1 thereof,the capsule receptacle A, with a capsule container 2 in the form of anopen-necked bottle received in the upper end thereof, is supported in avertical manner by a stand 4 comprising a bifurcated base 6, 6' andholding ring 8. Said holding ring 8 is provided with an elongatedaperture portion l and longitudinal grooves 12 for purposes hereinafterto be explained. Positioned beneath the dispenser there may be a glass14 for catching the capsules as they are dispensed.

The receptacle A may be of any external crosssecticnal shape and is hereshown as cylindrical. Its external diameter at its upper portion I6 isgreater than, and its external diameter at its lower portion I8 is lessthan the internal diameter of the holding ring 8. Hence, it may beinserted into the holding ring 8 from above and will be securelysupported therein by it upper portion I8. Its rotation in the holdingring 8 is prevented by the engagement in the longitudinal grooves 12 ofthe protruding heads of screws 34 in the upper portion I6 of thereceptacle A. Fig. 1 shows the dispenser in a position just prior tosaid engagement, with a small amount of downward motion remaining forthe dispenser before it takes up its final position.

The interior of the receptacle A is cylindrical and comprises an uppercylindrical section 26 and a lower cylindrical section 22 of smallerinternal diameter.

The partition C may be formed integrally with the receptacle A and is inthe shape of an annular ring apertured at E and with the upper surface24 thereof being sloped downward to meet the lower surface thereof oneither side of said aperture E (see particularly Fig. 4), thus defininga pair of inclined ramps.

The closure B is secured to the receptacle A by means of screws 26 andflanges 28 in such a position that its orifice D is diametricallyopposed to the orifice E in the partition 0. The screws 26 are disposedover less than 180 of the lower circumference of the receptacle A. Overthe remaining 180 of said lower circumference of the receptacle A, thelower surface of the recpetacle A is spaced from the closure B as at 36for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The upper part 26 of the receptacle A is openended at its top and isadapted to removably receive the threaded neck 32 of the capsulecontainer 2, here shown as a bottle. The container is secured to thereceptacle by means of screws 34, the tips of which engage the threadson the neck 32.

The rotor F preferably comprises an upper rotor section 36 and a lowerrotor section 38. The upper rotor section 36 is basically of circularcross-section (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9) of dimensions adapted to cooperatein specific manner with the interior cylindrical surface of thereceptacle A. The lower part 40 of the upper rotor section 36 is adaptedto fit inside of and rotate within the interior surface of the annularpartition C, riding on cup shims 42, 42' which serve as bearingsurfaces, the sole bearing surfaces built into the dispenser.

Positioned immediately above the partition 0 is the main rotor section44 which is, in the embodiment here shown, provided with a pair ofdiametrically opposed capsule-passing channels G, G. For purposes ofreducing the weight of the total structure, the non-channelled portionsof the main rotor section 44 may be cut out as at 46.

Positioned above the main rotor section 44 is another cylindricalsection 48, the diameter of which is so chosen with respect to the innerdiameter of the portion 22 of the receptacle A that the distancetherebetween is closely equal to the diameter of a capsule 56. Thus,between the cylindrical section 48 of the upper rotor section 36 and theinterior surface of the section 22 of the receptacle A there is defineda capsule-feeding ring space 5! into which capsules may pass. In Figs. 4and 5 capsules 56 are shown in said capsule-feeding ring space.

For facilitating feeding, the cylindrical section 48 is provided withgrooves 52 in line with the capsule-passing channels G, G. In Fig. 4capsule 50' is shown in said groove 52.

Between the cylindrical section 48 and the main rotor section 44 is anoutwardly and downwardly inclined annular surface 54 the maximum radiusof which is intermediate between the maximum radius of the cylindricalsection 48 and the radius of the interior of the lower section 22 of thereceptacle A and preferably exceeds the radius of the cylindricalsection 48 by an amount less than the radius of a capsule 50.

As the capsules pass into the capsule-feeding ring space 5|, a part oftheir lower surfaces will rest upon the annular surface 54, as may bestbe seen from Fig. 4. The annular surface 54 is, in the vicinity of thegrooves 52 and capsulepassing channels G, G, downwardly inclined as at54' (see Fig. 8), and thus capsules resting upon the annular surface 54are guided into the capsule-passing channels G, G.

Above the cylindrical portion 48 (see particularly Figs. 7 and 8) theupper rotor section 36 is so shaped that as the rotor F is rotated,capsules are guided into the capsule-feeding ring space 5| in a verticalposition by the inclined surfaces thereon, which define capsule-guidingmeans 56. An upstanding member 58 may be optionally provided atop thecapsule-guiding means 56 in order to agitate the capsule contents of thereceptacle A and thus facilitate their smooth feeding along thecapsule-guiding means 56 and into the capsule-feeding ring space. Thismember 58 preferably should project into the neck 32 of the capsulecontainer 2, and is thin and fiat, in order to prevent the formation ofjams therein.

The lower portion 45 of the upper rotor section 36 is tapered as at 66and is further provided with an internally threaded screw-receiving hole62 and a pair of diametrically opposed channels 64 for purposes ofconnection with the lower rotor section 38, as explained in detailbelow.

The lower rotor section 38 (illustrated in Figs. 10 through 12) isprovided at its upper part with a tapered central depressed section 66adapted to receive the tapered portion of the upper rotor section 36. Apair of lugs 68 fit into the channels 64 in the upper rotor section 36to connect the two sections together so that rotation of one will rotatethe other, and so that the channels G, G and the chambers H, H will bein registration to form a set of passages. Screw 70 passing throughscrew hole 12 in the lower rotor section 38 and engaging with thethreads in screw hole 62 of the upper rotor section 36 fastens the twosections together.

The lower rotor section 38 is provided with two diametrically opposedcapsule-receiving chambers H, H, the upper surfaces of which are flaredas at 14 to facilitate capsule entry therein and the lower surfaces ofwhich are slightly tapered as at 18 to facilitate capsule exittherefrom. For purposes of reducing the weight of the structure, thoseportions of the lower rotor section 38 not otherwise utilized may be cutout as at 18.

A rotor lever 88 terminating in a thumb-contacting portion 82 may beintegrally formed with the lower rotor section 38. The lever 88 projectsoutwardly from the receptacle A through the semi-circular opening 38previously referred to between the closure B and the lower surface ofthe receptacle A. Since this opening 38 extends over an arc of more than180 the lever 88 and hence the lower rotor section 38 and the upperrotor section 35 may all be rotated through an arc of 180, as may bestbe seen from the dotted lines of Fig. 6.

With the construction as above set forth, the assembly of the capsuledispenser of my invention will be seen to be exceedingly simple. Thebearing surfaces 42, which may comprise cup shims are first put in placeon the receptacle A. The upper rotor section 36 is then inserted fromabove and the lower rotor section 38 is mated therewith by means of thetapered sections 88 and 58. Cooperation between the channels 54 and thelugs 88 ensure that the capsulepassing channels G, G in the upper rotorsection 88 will align with the capsule-receiving chambers H, H in thelower rotor section 38. The two rotor sections are then fastenedtogether by means of screw 18, after which the closure 13 is secured inplace by means of the screws 28 and the flanges 28, the positioning ofwhich over less than 180 ensures that the orifice D in the closure B isdiametrically opposed to the orifice E in the partition C.

The entire dispenser as thus assembled is then inserted into the holdingring 8 and is so aligned therewith that the lever 86 and thumbcontactingportion 82 thereof pass through the elongated orifice in of the holdingring 8. The dispenser is then rotated approximately 180 so that thelever 88 and the thumb-contacting portion 82 take up the position shownin Fig. l and the dispenser is permitted to slide down through theholding ring 8 until the heads of the screws 34 pass inside thelongitudinal grooves I2 and the downward motion of the dispenser isarrested by the larger diametered portion I6 thereof coming in contactwith the upper surface of said holding ring 8. Any desired capsulecontainer 2 may then be upset and its open neck 32 may be inserted intothe open top of the receptacle A and secured therein by means of thecooperation of the screws 34 and the threads on the neck 32.

Urged by their own weight, capsules will move down. Bymotion of thelever 80 through successive 180 arcs the upper rotor section 36 willrotate and the upstanding member 58 and the capsule-guiding means 58will move capsules, will guide them into vertical positions, and willfurther guide them into the capsule-feeding ring space 5| between thecylindrical section 48 of the upper rotor section 38 and the interiorsurface of the portion 22 of the receptacle A. Capsules in this ringwill have the inner part of their lower surface bearing against theoutward- 6 ly and downwardly inclined annular surface 54 and will bekept in contact therewith by their own weight and the weight of thecapsules above. If the rotor F is further rotated through successivearcs, the annular ring 54 and the side of the rotating cylindricalportion 48 will tend to move the lower and inner surfaces of thecapsules 58 which are in contact with them. The outer surfaces of thecapsules 58, being in contact with the inner walls of the receptacle A,will resist this action and as a result the capsules will rotate abouttheir own axes.

If the capsules did not rotate, that is to say, if there were nofrictional effect on their outer surfaces, the capsules would travelwith the rotor F. However, since the capsules do rotate, considerablerelative motion occurs between the axes of the capsules and the rotor F(and consequently the annular ring 54). Thus, capsules move along theannular ring 54 until they come into registration with the channels G.When this occurs, the bottom support for the capsule disappears and it,therefore, falls into the channel G if that channel is empty. If it isnot empty, the capsule will merely fall upon and rest upon the top ofthe capsule already in the channel G. The downwardly inclined portions54' of the annular surface 54 aid in effecting the passage of thecapsule from the capsule-feeding ring space 5| to the channel G.

sule comes into registration with the channel G the rotational drivingforce imparted by both the annular ring 54 and the outer surface of thecylindrical portion 48 disappear, and the capsule consequently travelswith the remainder of the capsules lined up in the capsule-feeding ringspace 5|, but without rotating as the remainder do. It then dropssmoothly into the capsulepassing channel G. In the situation abovementioned where the capsule, in attempting to enter the channel G, findsthat channel already occupied, the capsule would rest in the groove (seecapsule 50 in Fig. 4) and since in that position it will not makesimultaneous contact with the rotor and the inner walls of thereceptacle A, it will not rotate about its own axis but will insteadtravel with the rotor.

A secondary effect of the rotation of the capsules about their own axeswhen they are in the capsule-feeding ring space 5| is their action asroller bearings between the rotor F and the receptacle A, facilitatingrotation of the rotor F.

Capsules 58 will, in the operation of my dispenser, commonly pass intothe capsule-passing channels G, G at diametrically opposed positionstherein. A 180 rotation of the lever 88 and hence of the rotor F willbring a capsule in a capsulepassing channel G into registry with theorifice E. During this rotation the lower surface of the capsule willslide along the upper surface of the partition C and down the inclinedramp 24. When the capsule comes to the orifice E its bottom support willdisappear and it will then, by its own weight, drop into thecapsule-receiving chamber H in the lower rotor section 38, which chamberis, as has been explained, in registration with the channel G.

Upon the next 180 rotation of the rotor F, the chamber H containing acapsule will be brought into registration with the orifice D and thecapsule contained therein will then fall out by its own weight. At thesame time the other capsule-receiving chamber H will be in registrationwith the orifice E and the capsule in the channel G thereabove will fallinto the chamber H.

The dispensing cycle as above described will continue for as long asthere are capsules in the dispenser. It will be seen that in the normaloperation of my dispenser there will always be a capsule in acapsule-dispensing chamber H ready for dispensing and there will alwaysbe a capsule in a capsule-feeding channel G ready to refill the chamberH as fast as the capsules therein are dispensed and after each 180'rotation of the rotor.

Should the capsule in the chamber H in registry with the orifice D failto be dispensed, subsequent smooth operation of the dispenser will notbe prevented thereby. In such a case, the chamber H will, upon rotationof the rotor F through 180, come into registry with the orifice E. Thecapsule in the channel G thereabove will be gravity-urged downward intocontact with the upper surface of the capsule in the chamber H. sincethe length of the chamber H is related to the length of a capsule, thetop surface of the capsule in the chamber H will be a very smalldistance below the lower surface of the partition C. Consequently, upona further rotation of the rotor F through 180, the capsule in thechannel G. which had fallen on top of the capsule in the chamber H, willride up the inclined upper surface 24 of the partition C without jammingand without being deformed.

By the construction of my dispenser, the capsule contents thereof may bepreserved over a considerable period of time since air can gain accessto the capsule contents only through a very devious and torturous routepassing around the lower rotor section 38 and up through the orifice E.

Since capsules are today generally of quite similar dimensions, a singledispenser assembly will serve for many capsules. Should the necessityfor dispensing capsules of a different diameter arise, the only partswhich would have to be replaced would be the upper and lower rotorsections 38 and 38, the orifices D and E being made large enough toaccommodate capsules of all diameters.

While I have described the capsule dispenser 01' my present invention ina preferred form, it will be apparent that many changes may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention defined inthe fQHOWlng claims.

I claim:

1. A capsule dispenser comprising a capsule receptacle, said receptaclebeing provided with a partition near its bottom and a closure at itsbottom, the partition and closure being separated a distance related tothe length of a capsule, the partition having an orifice and the closurehaving an orifice, said orifices being out of registry, a rotorjournalled in said receptacle and comprising an upper rotor sectionabove the partition and a lower rotor section below the partition, saidrotor sections being simultaneously rotatable, the upper rotor sectionbeing provided with at least one capsule-passing channel and the lowerrotor section being provided with at least one capsule-receivingchamber, the said channel and chamber being in registry, said rotorbeing movable between a position when said channel and chamber alignwith the partition orifice to pass a capsule from the channel to thechamber and a position where the chamber aligns with the closure orificeto. dispense 'a. capsule from the chamber thro h the closure.

2. A capsule dispenser comprising a capsule receptacle, said receptaclebeing provided with a partition near its bottom and a closure at itsbottom, the partition and closure being separated a, distance related tothe length of a capsule, the partition having an orifice and the closurehaving an orifice, said orifices being out of registry, a rotorjournalled in said receptacle and comprising an upper rotor sectionabove the partition and a lower rotor section below the partition, saidrotor sections being simultaneously rotatable, the upper rotor sectionbeing provided with a plurality of capsule-passing channels and thelower rotor section being provided with a. plurality ofcapsule-receiving chambers, each channel being in registry with achamber to form a set of passages, said rotor being movable between:positions when first one and then another set of passages aligns withthe partition orifice to pass a capsule from the channel to the chamberof the set and positions when first one and then another chamber alignswith the closure orifice to dispense capsules from that chamber throughthe closure.

3. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, saidreceptacle being provided with a partition near its bottom and a closureat its bottom, the partition and closure being separated a distancerelated to the length of a capsule, the partition having an orifice andthe closure having an orifice, said orifices being out of registry, arotor journalled in said receptacle and comprising an upper rotorsection above the partition and a lower rotor section below thepartition, said rotor sections being simultaneously rotatable, the upperrotor section being provided with at least one capsule-passing channeland with a cylindrical portion so dimensioned as to be spaced from theinterior of said cylindrical receptacle a distance closely equal to thecross-sectional diameter of a capsule, defining therebetween acapsule-feeding ring space, and with capsule-guiding means surmountingsaid cylindrical portion whereby capsules maybe guided into saidcapsule-feeding ring space in a vertical position, and the lower rotorsection being provided with at least one capsule-receiving chamber, thesaid channel and chamber being in registry, said rotor being movablebetween a position when said channel and chamber align with thepartition orifice to pass a capsule from the channel to the chamber anda position where the chamber aligns with the closure orifice to dispensea capsule from the chamber through the closure.

4. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, saidreceptacle being provided with a partition near its bottom and a closureat its bottom, the partition and closure being separated a distancerelated to the length of a capsule, the partition having an orifice andthe closure having an orifice, said orifices being out of registry, arotor journalled in said receptacle and comprising an upper rotorsection above the partition and a lower rotor section below thepartition, said rotor sections being simultaneously rotatable, the upperrotor section being provided with a plurality of capsule-passingchannels and with a cylindrical portion so dimensioned as to be spacedfrom the interior of said cylindrical receptacle a distance closelyequal to the cross sectional diameter of a capsule, definingtherebetween a capsule-feeding ring space, and with capsule-guidingmeans surmounting said cylindrical portion whereby capsules may b guidedinto said capsule-feeding ring space in a vertical position, and thelower rotor section being provided with a plurality of capsule-receivingchambers, each channel being in registry with a chamber to form a set ofpassages, said rotor being movable between positions when first one andthen another set of passages aligns with the partition orifice to pass acapsule from the channel to the chamber of the set and positions whenfirst one and then another chamber aligns with the closure orifice todispense capsules from that chamber through the closure.

5. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, arotor section iournalled in said receptacle, the rotor section beingprovided with at least one capsule-passing channel and with acylindrical portion thereabove so dimensioned as to be spaced from theinterior of said cylindrical receptacle a distance closely equal to thecross-sectional diameter of a capsule defining therebetween acapsule-feeding ring space, said cylindrical portion carrying a groovein line with and communicating with the capsule-passing channel, themost outwardly radially disposed portions of said groove coresponding tothe surface of said cylindrical portion and hence being spaced from theinterior of said receptacle by the same distance as said cylindricalportion.

6. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, arotor section journalled in said receptacle, the rotor section beingprovided with a plurality of capsule-passing channels with a cylindricalportion thereabove so dimensioned as to be spaced from the interior ofsaid receptacle a distance closely equal to the cross-sectional diameterof a capsule defining therebetween a capsule-feeding ring space, saidcylindrical portion carrying grooves in line with and communicating withsaid capsule-passing channels, the most outwardly radially disposedportions of said grooves corresponding to the surface of saidcylindrical portion and hence being spaced from the interior of saidreceptacle by the same distance as said cylindrical portion and capsule-{guiding means surmounting the cylindrical secion.

7. The capsule dispenser of claim 5, in which the cylindrical portion ofsaid rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardly anddownwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which, takenfrom the axis of rotation of said rotor section, is intermediate betweenthe maximum radius of said cylindrical portion and that of the interiorof said receptacle, said surface contacting the lower surface ofcapsules in said capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsulestherein, and guiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

8. The capsule dispenser of claim 6, in which the cylindrical portion ofsaid rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardly anddownwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which, takenfrom the axis of rotation of said rotor section, is intermediate between the maximum radius of said cylindrical portion and that of theinterior of said receptacle, said surface contacting the lower surfaceof capsules in said capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsulestherein, and guiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

9. The capsule dispenser of claim 5, in which the cylindrical portion ofsaid upper rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardly anddownwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which, takenfrom the axis of rotation of said rotorsection, is intermediate betweenthe maximum radius of said cylindrical portion and that of the interiorof said receptacle, said surface contacting the lower surface ofcapsules in said capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsulestherein, and guiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

10. The capsule dispenser of claim 5, in which the cylindrical portionof said upper rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardlyand downwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which,taken from the axis of rotation of said rotor section, is greater thanthe radius of said cylindrical portion by an amount less than the radiusof a capsule, said surface contacting the lower surface of capsules insaid capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsules therein, andguiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

11. The capsule dispenser of claim 6, in which the cylindrical portionof said upper rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardlyand. downwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which,taken from the axis of rotation of said rotor section, is greater thanthe radius of said cylindrical portion by an amount less than the radiusof a capsule, said surface contacting the lower surface of capsules insaid capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsules therein, andguiding them into said capsulepassing channels.

12. In the capsule dispenser of claim 1, means at the upper part of saidreceptacle for receiving and fastening therein the open end of a capsulecontainer, at a position above said rotor whereby the capsule contentsof said container may pass into said dispenser.

13. In the capsule dispenser of claim 1, means at the upper part of saidreceptacle for receiving and fastening therein the upper end of acapsule container, at a position above said rotor whereby the capsulecontents of said container may pass into said dispenser, and a thin flatupstanding member fixed to the top of said rotor for agitating thecapsule contents of said container.

14. In a capsule container, a two-piece rotor comprising an upper rotorsection and a lower rotor section, said rotor sections beingsimultaneously rotatable, said upper rotor section being provided withat least one capsule-passing channel, with a cylindrical portionthereabove, and with capsule-guiding means surmounting said cylindricalportion, the lower rotor section being provided with at least onecapsule-receiving chamber, and means connecting said two rotor sectionsso that said capsule-passing channel and said capsule-receiving chamberare in registry but are axially separated one from the other.

15. In a capsule container, a cylindrical receptacle, a rotor sectionjournalled in the receptacle, said rotor section being provided with atleast one capsule-passing channel and with a cylindrical portion havinga groove in line with and communicating with said capsule-passingchannel, said cylindrical portion terminating at its lower end in anoutwardly and downwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius ofwhich, taken from the axis of rotation of said rotor section, is greaterthan the radius of said cylindrical portion by an amount less than theradius of a capsule.

16. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, arotor section journalled in said receptacle, the rotor section beingprovided with at least one capsule-passing channel space, saidcylindrical portion carrying a groove in line with and communicatingwith the capsulepassing channel, movable means for ejecting capsulesfrom said dispenser, and means operatively connecting said ejectingmeans and said rotor section for rotating the latter each time a capsuleis ejected.

17. A capsule dispenser comprising a cylindrical capsule receptacle, arotor section journalled in said receptacle, the rotor section beingprovided with a plurality of capsule-passing channels with a cylindricalportion thereabove so dimensioned as to be spaced from the interior ofsaid receptacle a distance closely equal to the crosssectional diameterof a capsule defining therebetween .9. capsule-feeding ring space, saidcylindrical portion carrying grooves .in line with and communicatingwith said capsule-passing channels, and capsule-guiding meanssurmounting the cylindrical section, movable means .ror ejectingcapsules from said dispenser, and means operatively connecting saidejecting means and said rotor section for rotating the latter each timea capsule is ejected.

'18. The capsule dispenser of claim 16, in which the cylindrical portionof said rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardly anddownwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which takenfrom the axis of rotation of said rotor sections, is intermediatebetween the maximum radius of said cylindrical 1'2 portion and that ofthe interior of said receptacle, said surface contacting the lowersurface of capsules in said capsule-feeding ring space, rotating saidcapsules therein, and guiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

19. The capsule dispenser of claim 17, in which the cylindrical portionof said rotor section terminates at its lower end in an outwardly anddownwardly inclined annular surface the maximum radius of which takenfrom the axis of rotation of said rotor sections, is intermediatebetween the maximum radius of said cylindrical portion and that of theinterior of said receptacle, said surface contacting the lower surfaceof capsules in said capsule-feeding ring space, rotating said capsulestherein, and guiding them into said capsule-passing channel.

HERBERT N. MAIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 198,706 Taylor Dec. 25, 18771,031,589 Russell July 2, 1912 1,067,211 Birsfield July 8, 19131,173,308 Rockwell Feb. 29, 1916 1,703,083 Abbott "Feb. 26, 19291,969,590 Turgill etal Aug. 7, 1934 2,100,216 Hughes Nov. 23, 19372,176,232 Warren et al. Oct. 17, 1939 2,227,167 Warren Dec. 31, 19402,330,256 Ashton Sept. 28, 1943 2,378,004 Duell June 12, 1945

